You Follow Me

Have you ever been tempted to keep up with the Joneses? Or perhaps you compare yourself to others and make judgments, good or bad, about how you’re actually doing.

In the spiritual realm, we can also judge how we’re doing by comparing ourselves to other brothers and sisters and make favorable or unfavorable determinations about where we are.

The truth is each of us is simply called to follow Jesus and seek to please Him, an audience of One.

When we compare ourselves to others in the spiritually, we can fall into this trap: “I’m doing pretty well compared to so and so,” or “Compared to that person, I’m a failure. I just don’t stack up.” I have been guilty of falling into this trap, especially as one in full-time vocational Christian work. Sometimes I elevate myself over others and other times I compare myself to others in the ministry and wonder how it is I’m making such a small impact on the Kingdom.

Let me encourage you. The Lord has made you and I unique. Therefore, the expression of your faith walk is also unique. In fact, He doesn’t make mistakes. So instead of focusing on yourself, focus on following Jesus, for you and I are called to please Him and make His name great!

The disciples battled this same issue of self-focus rather than God-focus.

For example, you remember that James and John, known as the sons of thunder, at their mother’s request, asked to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in the Kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28). And in Mark 9:35, Jesus rebuked the disciples for discussing who among themselves was the greatest, telling them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Next we come to the risen Christ giving Peter some very pointed instruction at breakfast in John 21. Earlier the previous evening, after failing all night to catch a fish, the Lord appeared to the disciples for the third time following His resurrection (John 21:14). After He instructed them where to cast the net, they caught 153 huge fish. Then the Lord made them breakfast.

Upon finishing the meal, Jesus drilled home a point for Peter to remember, “Feed my sheep”:

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” – John 20:15-17

The Lord’s call on Peter’s life was to minister to His people, to be about the Father’s business! Just as Peter was to be about the Father’s business, this is also our calling, and it will look different for each of us.

The Lord then called Peter to follow Him, even to martyrdom:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” – John 20:18-19

Here Jesus didn’t mince words, crystalizing the consequence of where Peter’s walk with Him would lead. And note that following Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom, He commanded him, “Follow Me!”

Your sacrifice and my sacrifice in following Jesus, though manifesting in many different ways, are similar in this way: it will lead to the dying of self or self-determination.

Now spiritually, I’m not called to keep up with the Joneses, or with Johnny or whoever. Nor am I called to feel bad about how little I’m used compared to him or her. I’m simply called to follow Jesus, whatever that calling may be! In our witness to others, this also applies. We are called to sow and water, but it is God whose prerogative it is to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). I’m simply called to follow and be faithful.

Upon hearing these words of Christ in John 20:18-19, Peter attempted to redirect the narrative, apparently showing concern for John. Would John also suffer a similar destiny? Jesus, in so many words, told Peter to mind his own business, that Kingdom business which the Lord would give him, and follow Him:

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” – John 20:20-23

As diverse members of the body of Christ, each of us has been endowed with distinct giftings along with distinct roles and responsibilities (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

When we display an inordinate focus on ourselves or others in ministry at the expense of our focus on Jesus, we can lose our way. Rather, the Lord calls us follow Him, serve others and entrust them to the Lord.

Therefore, go forth my brothers and sisters, fix your eyes upon Jesus and follow Him, entrusting both yourself and others into His ultimate care. Amen.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).